Geard, Frederick John Parsons

Geard enlisted in the Engineers in 1910, switching to the Balloon Wing of the R.E. in 1911. In the course of his work with the balloon section he also acquired qualifications as a gas fitter, as well as the Aircraftsman First Class classification and a job as an Airman Rigger. He transferred to the RFC in 1912 and after training as an observer joined 5 Squadron. He went with them to France in 1914 and died at Peronne on 1914-08-18 when his pilot, Lieutenant R R Smith-Barry stalled his aircraft during a landing approach, and crashed straight in from 60 feet. Geard was killed outright, Smith-Barry was seriously injured, but recovered.